Changes

==Introduction==There have been many famous political assassinations throughout history and [[File: Ass of caesar one of the most well.jpg|300px|thumb|left|An 18th-known was the killing century painting of the Roman general and politician, Julius Caesar in 43 BC. Caesar’s assassination]]__NOTOC__The assassination of Caesar was a turning point in the history of Rome, not only did it end the career of one of the greatest most powerful Romans , but it also initiated a chain of events that changed the very nature of Rome and its Empire. Among the consequences of the assassination were a brutal civil war and the rise of Mark Anthony and Octavian. The death of Caesar on the Ides of March was to send sent the Roman Republic into a crisis that ultimately led to the its abolition of the Republic and the emergence of the Imperial system. [[File: Ass of caesar one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|An 18th century painting of Caesar’s assassination]]

==BackgroundWhy was Caesar Killed? ==Caesar was a member of the Roman aristocracy and he was a lifetime member of the popular faction. This was a party of nobles who claimed to be serving the interests of the common people. Caesar became one of the most powerful men in Rome when he joined the First Triumvirate. He used his new-found power to secure a consulship and the command of several legions which he used to wage war in Gaul. Following his conquest of Gaul, he was the most powerful man in Rome and he was feared by the Roman Senate. To safeguard his position Caesar marched on Rome and this began a civil war.<ref> Goldsworthy, Anthony. <i>Caesar: Life of a Colossus </i> (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006), p. 261</ref>. Caesar fought the ''Optimate'' army, initially led by Pompey the Great. He defeated Pompey at Pharsalus and later in a series of battles across the Mediterranean defeated several armies opposed to his rule. By 43 BC Caesar was by far the most important man in Rome and he had himself made dictator for life. This aroused the deep hated of many in the Roman aristocracy. A conspiracy was formed by several leading Roman nobles, whose titular leader was Brutus, someone whom Caesar knew well. The Roman general had pardoned many of the conspirators and had even appointed some of them to high office. The members of the plot called themselves the liberators. The plot involved luring Caesar to Pompey’s theatre where gladiatorial games were to be held in his honour<ref>Plutarch, Life of Caesar, xxxi</ref>. The Roman leader was notoriously reckless when it came to his personal security. He refused bodyguards and he declared that to live surrounded by guards was not a life he wanted. Caesar had only a few personal attendants who escorted him everywhere. On the Ides of March, the conspirators lured their target to the Theatre of Pompey. Here after one of the conspirators seized his toga, up to sixty assailants stabbed Caesar, who later died because of blood loss. It is important to understand the motivations of those who killed the great Roman general. They believed that he wanted to become king and to end the Republic. The killers of Caesar were all Republicans and they believed in the Roman Constitution and the rule of the Senate. Brutus and the others believed that they were delivering the Republic from the tyranny of the conqueror of Gaul. The assassination of Caesar was carried out to protect the Republic and to preserve the ancient Constitution of the city<ref> Goldsworthy, p. 314</ref>. [[File: Ass of caesar one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|An 18th century painting of Caesar’s assassination]]

==Immediate Aftermath He defeated Pompey at Pharsalus and later in a series of battles across the Assassination==The death of Mediterranean defeated several armies opposed to his rule. By 43 BC Caesar was a great shock to many. Those who had killed him, styled themselves by far the Liberators most important man in Rome and they expected that he had himself made dictator for life. This aroused the people deep hatred of Rome would rally to them and support their actions and that this would save many in the RepublicRoman aristocracy. HoweverA conspiracy was formed by several leading Roman nobles, most whose titular leader was Brutus, someone whom Caesar knew well. The Roman general had pardoned many of the population remained wary conspirators and neutral, while many people and especially the political gangs, who controlled large areas had even appointed some of them to high office. The members of the city, were angered by plot called themselves the killing of Caesarliberators. In the days after the assassination there was an eerie calm The plot involved luring Caesar to Pompey’s theatre where gladiatorial games were to be held in the cityhis honor. Mark Anthony became the de-facto leader of the Caesarean party in the city<ref>Plutarch, even though he had fallen out of favour in recent years with his former general<refi>Life of Caesar</i> Osgood, Josiahxxxi</ref> The Roman leader was notoriously reckless when it came to his personal security. Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and He refused bodyguards and he declared that to live surrounded by guards was not a life he wanted. Caesar had only a few personal attendants who escorted him everywhere.  On the Emergence Ides of the Roman Empire March (New York: Cambridge University Press (USA15th of March), 2006)the conspirators lured Caesar to the Theatre of Pompey. After he arrived, p. 113</ref>one of the conspirators seized his toga and up to sixty assailants stabbed Caesar. Caesar later died because of blood loss. He arranged a political compromise that allowed What were the killers motivations of those who killed Caesar ? They were convinced that he wanted to go unpunished become king and for those who had been appointed by end the dead man to remain in officeRepublic. This was able to maintain some semblance The killers of Caesar were all Republicans and they stridently believed in the Roman Constitution and the rule of order in the citySenate. The lower class became increasingly incensed when Brutus and the others thought that they learned more about were delivering the Romans from the death tyranny. The assassination of Caesar was carried out to protect the Republic and Anthony threatened to unleash them against preserve the senators<ancient Constitution of the city.<ref> PlutarchGoldsworthy, Life of Anthony, xxivp. 314</ref>. The reading of the will of  == What happened Immediately Caesar came as a surprise, he made his grand-nephew his son and heirwas Murdered? ==[[File: Ass of caesar three. This shocked jpg|300px|thumb|left| A cameo of Mark Anthony who ]]The death of Caesar was not even mentioned by Caesar in his will. Octavian returned from Greece and as Caesar’s heir he became one shocking, but the assailants expected that the people of the most powerful men in Rome. This only added to the confusion in Romewould rally to them and support their actions. The Senate supported OctavianHowever, who distrusted Mark Anthony most of the population remained wary and he was forced to flee neutral, while many people and especially the political gangs, who controlled large areas of the city. He assembled an army of five legions but was defeated , were angered by Octavian and the forces killing of Caesar. In the Senate at days after the Battle of Mutina assassination, there was an eerie calm in Northern Italy (43 B.C.). The two consuls for that year were also killed during the battlecity. Antony was forced to retreatMark Anthony became the de-facto leader of the Caesarean party in the city, and his cause seemed losteven though he had fallen out of favor in recent years with Caesar.<ref> Osgood, but he was fortunateJosiah. The Senate tried to take his army away from Octavian <i>Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and give it to one the Emergence of the assassins of CaesarRoman Empire<ref/i> Suetonius(New York: Cambridge University Press (USA), Lives of the Caesars2006), xxivp. 113</ref>. This persuaded Octavian He arranged a political compromise that allowed the killers of Caesar to enter an alliance with Anthony go unpunished and Lepidus. This was the so-called Second Triumvirate and it divided for those who had been appointed by the legions and provinces among the three alliesdead man to remain in office. The aim of the alliance was This made it possible to avenge the assassination maintain some semblance of Caesar. They soon occupied Rome and launched a campaign of terror order in the city, summarily killing their enemies. HoweverThe lower class became increasingly incensed when they learned more about the death of Caesar. <ref> Plutarch, their rule was opposed by the Optimates and the assassins <i>Life of Caesar and this led to another civil warAnthony<ref/i>Galinsky, Karl. Augustan Culture. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1998), p. 89</xxiv</ref>. [[File: Ass The will of caesar threeCaesar was surprising because he designated Octavian, his grand-nephew, as his son and heir.jpg|200px|thumb|left| A cameo Mark Anthony who was not even mentioned by Caesar in his will. Octavian immediately returned from Greece and instantly became one of Mark Anthony]]==The Civil War==Those who were involved the most influential men in Rome. This only added to the assassination of Caesar under the command of Cassius and Brutus controlled much of the Easter portion of the Empireconfusion in Rome. Antony and The Senate decided to support Octavian sailed with because they distrusted Mark Anthony. Mark Anthony became worried about his safety and was forced to flee Rome.  After fleeing, Anthony assembled an army to confront their enemies of five legions but was defeated by Octavian and the two armies confronted each other forces of the Senate at Phillipa the Battle of Mutina in modern Macedonia or Northern GreeceItaly (43 B.C. Here the two armies clashed and over two battles the followers of Caesar prevailed). The battles had been close fought and it two consuls for that year were also killed during the battle. Antony was the personal bravery of Mark Anthony forced to retreat, and his cause seemed lost, but the general Agrippa that ensured victory for Senators undermined their position with Octavian.  After the Second Triumvirate. The liberators and their Optimates allies all died in the battle or its aftermath<ref> Suetoniusbattle, Lives of the Caesar, vii</ref>. Brutus Senate tried to take Octavian's army away and Cassius committed suicide in the aftermath hand it over to one of the defeatCaesar's assassins. The defeat at Philippi was a decisive one and it effectively ended <ref> Suetonius, Lives of the Optimates as a military forceCaesars, xxiv</ref> The Senate's miscalculation persuaded Octavian to enter an alliance with Anthony and Lepidus. While there were to be more civil conflicts This became the Senatorial elite were no longer active participantsSecond Triumvirate. Successive defeats The Triumvirate seized power and a series of proscriptions had decimated then divided the old Republican elite legions and they were no longer able provinces among the three men. The aim of the Triumvirate was to influence events in consolidate control of Rome. Those who wanted to preserve and avenge the old ideas assassination of the Republic no longer had the means or perhaps the will to prevent the concentration Caesar. They soon occupied Rome and launched a campaign of power terror in the lands of one or two men<ref> Osgoodcity, p 227</ref>summarily killing their enemies. The assassination of Caesar was motivated by a desire to restore However, the old Republican system ''Optimates'' and especially Caesar's assassins rejected the influence of the SenateTriumvirate's authority and started a second civil war. In fact<ref>Galinsky, the civil war that ensued in the aftermath of the death of Caesar was to result in the side-lining of the Senate and those who believed in the ideals of the RepublicKarl. <i>Augustan Culture</I>. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1998), p. 89</ref> ==The Second Triumvirate=How did Augustus win the Civil War against the Optimates? == The Second Triumvirate saw Those who were involved in the assassination of Caesar were placed under the rise command of Octavian Cassius and Mark Anthony, who became Brutus. They controlled much of the eastern portion of the most powerful man in RomeEmpire. Lepidus was decidedly a junior partner in the political arrangement. Antony and Octavian Mark Anthony sailed with an army to confront their enemies and Octavian divided the Roman Empire between them two armies confronted each other at Phillipa in modern Macedonia or Northern Greece. The two armies clashed and deftly side-lined Lepidus. Anthony assumed responsibility for after two decisive battles, the pacification followers of the east which Caesar prevailed. The battles had become restive after been closely fought and it was the civil wars. personal bravery of Mark Anthony successful reimpose Roman control over and the Eastern section of general Agrippa that ensured victory for the Roman EmpireSecond Triumvirate. The relationship between Mark Anthony liberators and Octavian was sealed by a series of marriages. However, their ''Optimates'' allies all died in truth the two men were never really allies and both knew that there would be a day of reckoningbattle or its aftermath. The Second Triumvirate allowed Octavian <ref> Suetonius, <i>Lives of the Caesar</i>, vii</ref> Brutus and Mark Anthony to rule Cassius committed suicide in the Roman Empire. Both paid only scant regard to aftermath of the Senatedefeat. Octavian  The defeat at Philippi was the real power in Rome decisive and he observed it effectively ended the forms Optimates as a military force. The Senate was also effectively neutered by the Triumvirate's victory. Successive defeats and a series of proscriptions had decimated the old Republican system <ref>Holland, Tom, Rubicon: The Last Years elite and they lost most of their power. Those who wanted to preserve the old ideas of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Books, 2003), p. 207 </ref>. In no longer had the east Mark Anthony began a relationship with means or perhaps even the will to prevent the Ptolemaic Queen concentration of Egypt, Cleopatra IV. For a brief periodpower in the lands of one or two men.<ref>Osgood, the Roman territories were divided between Octavian who presented himself as champion p 227</ref> The assassination of Caesar was motivated by a desire to restore the old fashioned Roman values Republican system and beliefs and Mark Anthony who seemed to be creating a personal domain for himself and Cleopatra in restore the influence of the eastSenate. For In essence, the entire duration assassination was a spectacular failure. Instead of restoring the Second Triumviraterepublic, the Senate old Roman Republic was destroyed. == What was subservient to the demand of especially Octavian. The Second Triumvirate that was made possible by ? == <dh-ad/>The Second Triumvirate saw the assassins rise of Octavian and Mark Anthony, who sought to preserve became the Republic, did much to undermine most powerful man in Rome. Lepidus was decidedly the junior partner in the old system of governance political arrangement. Octavian, Mark Anthony, and politics<ref> HollandLepidus divided the Roman Empire between them, p 298</ref>but Anthony and Caesar's heir soon deftly side-lined Lepidus. ==The Rise of Octavian and Anthony assumed responsibility for the End pacification of the east, which had become restive after the civil wars. Anthony successfully reimposed Roman Republic==Perhaps control over the most important result Eastern section of the death of Caesar was Roman Empire. A series of marriages sealed the rise of his grand-nephew relationship between Mark Anthony and Octavian. He had not been particularly close to However, in truth, the great general two men were never really allies, and politician, but he was one both knew that there would be a day of his last living male relativesreckoning. It seemed that Still, the victor of so many battles saw something in Second Triumvirate allowed Octavian and Mark Anthony to rule the young man and Roman Empire.  Octavian was to prove his grand-uncle right. The death of Caesar cleared the way for the rise of Octavian real power in Rome, and he was to prove to be one observed the forms of the most calculating and brilliant politicians in the entire Roman era Republican system.<ref> GoldsworthyHolland, Adrian. Augustus: First Emperor of Rome (YaleTom, Yale University Press, 2010), p. 213 </refi>. Rubicon: The young Octavian was able to manipulate the situation to make himself master Last Years of the Roman world. For exampleRepublic</i> (London, he goaded Mark Anthony into a warAnchor Books, in which he defeated him at the Battle of Actium2003), p. This was to make him master of 207 </ref> In the entire Roman world. Octavian learned from east, Mark Anthony began a relationship with the assassination Ptolemaic Queen of Caesar and he did not make Egypt, Cleopatra IV. For a brief period, the same mistakes Roman territories were divided between Octavian who presented himself as the legendary leader. He was very respectful to the Senators a champion of old-fashioned Roman values and beliefs and Mark Anthony who seemed to be creating a personal domain for himself and observed all Cleopatra in the procedureseast. This was to placate For the sensibilities entire duration of the Roman aristocracySecond Triumvirate, the Senate was subservient to Octavian and Anthony. The political arrangement between Anthony and Octavian that was made sure that he possible by the assassins who sought to preserve the Republic, did not goad much to undermine the senators’, but he also controlled them <old system of governance and politics.<ref> SuetoniusHolland, Life of Augustus, cviip 298</ref>.  == Why did Rise of Octavian slowly concentrated power into his own hands and created an Imperial system under the guise of a Republican system. He safeguarded his position by sharing power with the Senators and the rest of End of the Roman aristocracy. However, he was the dominant player in Rome. Octavian moved slowly and amassed so many powers that he was the leading man in Rome. Many welcomed the stability that he offered, and he governed the Empire wisely. However, he was also slowly undermining the Empire. His pre-eminence was confirmed when he was granted the title Augustus. Such was his hold on power that he was able to pass on his position to his family and found the first Imperial dynasty. For this year Augustus, as he became known is regarded as the first Roman Emperor and the founder of an Imperial system that was to last in the West until 476 AD. The assassins of Caesar who killed him to save their beloved Republic, simply paved the way for the rise of the man who was to quietly dismantle the Republic and erect a new Imperial system<ref> Osgood, p. 452</ref>. Republic? ==

==Conclusion==The Perhaps the most important result of the death of Caesar at was the hands rise of aristocratic Romans his grand-nephew Octavian. He had not been particularly close to the great general and politician, but he was to have far reaching consequences one of his last living male relatives. It seemed that the victor of so many battles saw something in both the short young man and the longer termOctavian was to prove his grand-uncle right. The killing led to a series death of events that led to Caesar cleared the way for the rise of Mark Antony Octavian and Octavian. It also led he was to prove to a civil war between the adherents be one of the Caesarean party most calculating and brilliant politicians in the liberators and their allies that ended with the total defeat entire Roman era.<ref> Goldsworthy, Adrian. <i>Augustus: First Emperor of those who believed in the RepublicRome</i> (Yale, Yale University Press, 2010), p. 213 </ref> The defeat at Philippi young Octavian was able to effectively end manipulate the military power situation to make himself master of those who sympathized with the old Republican systemRoman world. The death of the conqueror of Gaul also enabled For example, he goaded Mark Anthony into a war and Octavian he defeated him at the Battle of Actium. This was to partition make him master of the Empire between thementire Roman world. Perhaps Octavian learned from the assassination of Caesar and he did not make the most significant event, that emerged from same mistakes as the bloody confusion in legendary leader. He was very respectful to the aftermath of Senators and observed all the assassination procedures. This was to placate the rise sensibilities of the Roman aristocracy. Octavianmade sure that he did not goad the senators’, but he also controlled them. He learned much from the death <ref> Suetonius, Life of Augustus, cvii</ref>  Caesar's heir slowly concentrated power into his grand-uncle own hands and did not repeat his mistakes. He created an imperial Imperial system while observing under the outward form guise of the a Republican system. As a result, He safeguarded his position by sharing power with the Senators and the rest of the Roman aristocracy. Many welcomed the stability that he offered and he faced little oppositiongoverned the Empire wisely.  However, as he ended was slowly undermining the Republic and made himself Republican rule. Octavian's pre-eminence was confirmed when he was granted the first Emperortitle Augustus. The most important consequence title of Augustus cemented his hold on power and allowed him to pass on his position to a designated heir. The Senate established the assassination of Caesar was the fall of first Roman imperial dynasty. For this, Augustus is regarded as the first Roman Republic Emperor and the establishment founder of an Imperial system that . The assassins of Caesar simply paved the way for the rise of the man who was to last until 476 ADquietly dismantle the Republic. ==Additional Reading==Syme<ref> Osgood, Ronald, The Roman Revolution (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002)p.452</ref>

Holland, Tom, Rubicon: == Conclusion ==The Last Years death of Caesar at the hands of aristocratic Romans had far-reaching consequences. It resulted in two civil wars and the rise of Mark Antony and Octavian. The adherents of the Caesarean party sided with Octavian and Mark Anthony. The liberators and their Senatorial allies did not want to replace Caesar with Octavian and Anthony. The Liberators were smashed at the Battle of Philippi and the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Books, 2003)would never return. The defeat at Philippi was effectively the end of the military power of those who sympathized with the old Republican system. Caesar's death allowed Mark Anthony and Octavian to partition the Empire between them.

EverittWhile the empire was split between Anthony and Octavian, AnthonyOctavian became the center of power in the Roman Empire. The First Emperor: Caesar Augustus He was an effective ruler and did not repeat Casaer's mistakes. He created an imperial system while observing the Triumph outward form of Rome (London: John Murraythe Republican system. As a result, 2007)he faced little opposition, even though he ended the Republic and crowned himself Emperor. The Imperial system created by Octavian lasted until 476 AD.

====Additional Reading====* Syme, Ronald, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192803204/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192803204&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a10af7542e214cda24649ca76457ed62 The Roman Revolution]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University, 2002).* Canfora, Luciano, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00720XI0A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00720XI0A&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5de475b6b8ead57e112dcda8479acc57 Julius Caesar: The People's Dictator]</i> (Edinburg, Edinburgh University Press, 2006).* Jiménez, Ramon L. , <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0275966208/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0275966208&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=20b9b0d1ca2a488932321afa4bb22afa Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War ]</i> (New York, Praeger, 2006).* Goldsworthy, Adrian, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0300126891/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300126891&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e3d7ca205d235ca4f80c8f42d215447a Caesar: Life of a Colossus]</i> (Yale University Press, 2008)* Freeman, Philip. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743289544/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743289544&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=04b3744690637472a5e2eb2eb8dc57c6 Julius Caesar]</i>. (Simon and Schuster, 2008)* Grant, Michael. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486822192/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486822192&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=707967b3998ed8e0ee4b02e887ee7b50 The Twelve Caesars]</i> (New York: Penguin Books, 1979)* Osgood, Josiah. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521671779/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521671779&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=78feb0248f30b4a6c2cfaa0048334c9f Caesar's Legacy: Civil War and the Emergence of the Roman Empire]</i> (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006)* Holland, Tom. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400078970/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400078970&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a25657c34ca67cbf377bd8dfbc462c2c Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic] (London, Anchor Press, 2003)* Goodman, Rob. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250042623/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250042623&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4c9157524f8c44ff12d67a6dff4613ad Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato: Mortal Enemy of Caesar]'' (St. Martin's Griffen, 2014)<div class="portal" style="width:35%;">

Goldsworthy, Anthony====Related DailyHistory. Caesarorg Articles===={{#dpl: Life of a Colossus (Yale, Yale University Press, 2006).category=Roman History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=10}}</div>

====References====<References/>[[Category:Roman History]][[Category:Ancient History]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Julius Caesar]]{{Contributors}}